With the holidays approaching, I’m starting to put holiday looks together with clients. Most of their outfits are smart casual with a few dressier occasions thrown into the mix. Here are some winning pieces with subtle bling, many of which can be worn to the office on a regular day if you bat for Team Daytime Sparkle. Or just wear them anyway if sparkle makes you happy. And earth tones are back with a vengeance, which is a breath of fresh air from the overdose of black and grey. Be sure to browse all the colour options.
- Bella-Vita 'Nettie' Block Heel Pump (Women): A great party shoe if you can manage the heel height. Moderately comfy. Works well on regular and high-volume feet. Good fit on high insteps.
- Nic + Zoe Primrose Metallic Knit Peplum Top (Regular & Petite): Easy Effective Elegance. One of the best subtle bling tops I've seen all year. GREAT fit. The peplum glides beautifully over the midsection camouflaging lumpage and bumpage. (YES, it can work for apple shapes). The neckline is flattering, and the length works for most body types. The colour is a moody shade of violet that looks like a vibrant grey. I was wowed when clients tried this on. Looks better in person. The XS will fit a US2.
- Zoe Chicco Freshwater Cultured Pearl Swirl Earrings: Dainty pearl earrings with a glam arty vibe. Minimally Maximal.
- Gabby Skye Floral Print Shift Dress (Plus Size): A Fall floral dress to wear as is or over pleather leggings to create a harder edge. Might need to size down. Layer a cape over the top for warmth.
- Madewell Rivet & Thread Pin Closure Bracelet: Wear one of these on each wrist and feel like Wonder Woman. Gold is less bright in person. Good fit on a narrower wrist.
- BP Ankle Strap Block Heel Pump (Women): A fab party shoe at a great price. Moderately comfy and fits an orthotic.
- Halogen Ribbed Long Sleeve Turtleneck Top (Regular & Petite): An excellent turtleneck for those who cannot wear wool. Super soft and gentle against the skin. It looks clingy, but is fine if you pull the top up a bit to create a rushed effect. Worked on clients with a bit of muffin top that way. All the colours are fab.
- Fuzzi Ruched Tulle Sheath Dress: A beautiful dress for a rectangle, straighter hourglass and inverted triangle. Not good if you are self-conscious about your midsection or very curvy. YES, the length works for petites with heels. Runs small.
- Jen7 Floral Print Stretch Skinny Jeans (Rouge Roses): Wonderfully comfy earth-toned floral jeans that do not cut off your circulation. Great length for tall gals, and good on a curvier figure. Girdling for midsection extra bits too.
- Halogen Bell Sleeve Rib Knit V-Neck Sweater (Regular & Petite): Tailored, soft and good on a curvy hourglass or pear-shaped body type with a defined waist and larger bust. EXCELLENT on a short-waisted torso too. The V-neck is in a good position, and flatters a shorter neck. You have to be at peace with the flounce on the extended sleeves, which looks cute peeking out from under a jacket.
- Kelsi Dagger Brooklyn 'Cumberland' Croc Embossed Bootie (Women): Clean, crisp and chic in the cream. Textured, casual and earthy in the brown. A little wide for a narrower ankle. Best on a regular and higher volume foot.
- Topshop Woody Faux Fur Hood Puffer Jacket: A good short puffer on an hourglass. Surprisingly structured despite the volume. Great on a short waist. Rich shade of olive. Trendy.
- Halogen Side Slit Step Hem Tweed Pencil Skirt: A tweed pencil skirt with a staggered hem creates an interesting effect. The brown in the tweed provides and earthy touch. Runs small.
- Zara Suede-effect Jacket: A fab indoor jacket to wear over sleeveless tops and dresses. Super soft, comfy, and richly olive. Good for hot Falls and Winters.
- Topshop Margarita Platform Boot (Women): A '70s platform if you dare. Moderately comfy. Good on narrow ankles.
- Kate Spade New York 'swan - small maise' leather satchel: Quirky, beautifully made, arty and refined. Works as well as a clutch for a dressier occasion.
- Zara Flat Over-the-knee Boots: Wonderfully comfy and more affordable over-the-knee boots with a low heel. Rich in colour and better than black. They do not sag down your leg. Best with short dresses and skirts. Not good over leggings and jeans.
- J.Crew Lucite link necklace: A little plastic fabness to match your pumpkins.
- Nic + Zoe Chiffon Trim Tank (Plus Size): Fab tank to wear under a jacket or cardigan. Get the matching flouncy cardi for the full modern twinset effect. Might run big.
- Nic + Zoe Chiffon Trim Cardigan (Plus Size): GORGEOUS twinset for the holidays or for the office. Chic, pretty, streamlined and comfy. Get the matching tank top. All the colours are nice. Might run big.
- Vince Camuto Colorblock Waffle Stitch V-Neck Sweater (Regular & Petite): An extremely easy piece to wear over faux leather leggings, flared straights, or skinnies. The V-neck is not too low. All the colours are nice.
- Two by Vince Camuto Asymmetrical Hem Sweater: A good piece to wear over faux leather leggings. Runs big and long. V-neck might be a little low. Best worn with a camisole. Petites can add heels to the outfits.
- Nic + Zoe 'Making Marks' Print Split Neck Blouse (Regular & Petite): A drapey blouse that glides over an apple-shaped body type to perfection. Rich pattern and fabric. Great faux leather piping. Excellent over slim black pants. Good on a larger bust.
- Nic + Zoe Studded Top (Regular & Petite): A semi-fitted top with a little built-in studded bling. Comes in black. Might run a size big.
- Tracy Reese 'T' Flounce Sleeve Floral Print Dress: An elegant and unique dress WITH sleeves, that are interesting to boot. I love the placement of the pattern, which is the same both in the back and front. It's made of a lightweight crepe that does not crease. The strategic ruching is forgiving on the midsection. Suits both a curvier and straighter body type. Not suited to apple shaped body types.
- MIH JEANS 'Sophia' Stripe Sweater: A nautical modern classic that's beautifully made yet very casual. Might run small.
- Madewell 'Stembend' Ear Jackets: Dainty earrings with a difference.
- Annie Jewelry 18'' Freshwater Pearl Choker Necklace with Leather Cord Jewelry for Women As Gift: A pearl necklace for Team Casual.
- Longchamp '2.0' Two-Tone Leather Crossbody Satchel: The best chocolate brown bag of the year. STUNNING colour and quality. A nice size that also works well on petites. Casual Chic at its best. Very luxurious and refined, yet quite subtle.
- 'carima' genuine calf hair loafer flat (Women): Refined, chic and well-suited to blondes. Quite comfy. Read the rave reviews.
- Vince Camuto Metallic Tweed Fit & Flare Dress: A fab classic piece for an hourglass or pear-shaped petite with a regular size bust. Will not date. Add on trend silver shoes, clutch and jewellery and you're in business. Runs big.
- Zara Short Anorak With Hidden Hood: The best short fitted puffer I've seen all year. Glitzy, chic and dressy. Not sporty. It's Zara but very well made. The black piping detailing is SUPERB, the chevron quilting is awfully slimming, and the cut on the funnel neck is architectural. Long necks pull off this style best. The red is less bright in person. More fire engine than tomato. Comes in four colours. The toffee is hanging in my coat closet. I LOVE it.
- Ted Baker London Marble Faux Fur Jacket: A fashion-forward faux fur cropped jacket to wear over a black dress or with blue and black jeans. Looks equally good over a column of black. Modern Retro Fabness.
- Zara Crackled Leather Mid Heel Shoes: A snip-toe pump with a trendy block heel in a metallic brown is hard to find. Unique. Gorgeous on a narrower foot. These are moderately comfy for short periods of time. Good for party wear.
- Cole Haan 'Elverton' Knee High Boot (Women): Impeccable quality and comes in chocolate brown. Well-suited to narrower calves. Very comfortable, and a true classic.
- Anthropologie Cascading Ruffle Pullover: A rich rust peplum for those who like ruffles and enjoy defining the waist. Fairly fitted on the midsection. Read the rave reviews.
Visit the collection page to see the items alongside my descriptions.
